Poker run benefits scholarship fund

The Justin Johnston Memorial Scholarship Poker Run will be Saturday. The event is compliant with state law regarding charitable events involving gaming.

The route begins with registration at 10 a.m. at Combs Custom Cycle, 725 N. Second St. in Lawrence. The ride goes through Easton, Leavenworth, Edwardsville and De Soto before returning to Slow Ride Roadhouse in Lawrence. Live entertainment will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Slow Ride, 1350 N. Third St.

Registration is $20, with extra hands for $10 and T-shirts for $15. All proceeds will go to a scholarship fund to help students with costs of a college education.

Justin, a 16-year-old McLouth High School student, was killed June 2, 2011, while on a Spanish Club trip to Costa Rica.

For more information, visit JusticeforJustin.org or call 913-796-6594.

Looking at their website, it says there is a cash prize to first and second place. So unless they alter the format like Keith says, it still violates the law, whether the profits go to a nonprofit/charitable organization or not. It is kind of amusing that they are like 'this event is compliant with the law' without any further explanation.

Another way organizations can get around the law with poker runs and raffles is to have ticket price be a 'suggested donation amount' instead of a set price; of course then you run the risk of un-classy individuals not paying for tickets, but I've rarely seen that happen. In fact, a lot of times, people will donate even above the suggested price.

Isn't it silly that something like this might be illegal? The state brings in huge amounts amount from gambling and there are so many other problems that need to be addressed and yet, a poker run that doesn't throw darts is illegal?

Big deal. Sam Brownback make bad gambles all the time. $4 billion gambles. He doesn't even know how to ride a motorcycle. I bet he'd crash in about 10 feet if he ever tried. He seems like a clumsy doofus.